Clas Brede Brathen has high expectations for his team

Ski Jumping Team Norway -

FIS

Clas Brede Brathen, sports director for ski jumping in the Norwegian Ski Association, is optimistic before the new season and also has high expectations for his team.

In an interview with RiksTV the 44-year-old seemed more than satisfied with the preparation for the Olympic winter. "Last season was very good for us, but we wanted to continue challenging ourselves in every field. I'm pretty sure, that at this point of time, we never felt better prepared than we are now." This is also reflected in the fact that, as yet another expression of satisfaction with the progress of the ski jumpers, it was recently communicated that the contract with head coach Alexander Stoeckl shall be prolonged until 2018.

A good training period of course also raises the expectations of the association for the athletes, especially in a season that, with the Olympic Games, the 4-Hills-Tournament, the Ski Flying World Championships and the overall World Cup, offers various highlights. "We want to be in a position to fight for the medals in all competitions. In order to achieve that we need to have athletes among the best in the World Cup constantly. That way you gain self-confidence and that can be an important weapon in the main events."

On rikstv.com Clas Brede Brathen also expresses clear goals for this season's big competitions. "Two to three medals, one of which gold, at the Olympics, two medals at the Ski Flying World Championships and a Top 3 result at the 4-Hills-Tournament." In achieving these goals, the sports director expects competition from various teams. "I think, that Germany and Poland will further improve and the Austrians will seek revenge for last winter. And there is also Simon Ammann of Switzerland, who will definitely be in the game for the medals in Russia."